Huge drop in numbers collecting dole

Unemployment in the region is at its lowest for more than 30 years.

Rotorua Work and Income says the drop in numbers is because of a booming economy and change of attitude by people looking for work.

One of thousands from throughout the region to benefit from the soaring employment market is Murupara's Mark Howden who, after collecting the dole for 12 years, is proud to have become a wage earner.

After taking on work through Network Murupara, the 46-year-old former shearer and father of five is now employed as supervisor of one of the work crews helping to clean up and beautify Murupara.

Network Murupara Incorporated was set up in September 2005 by Murupara residents concerned about the town's deteriorating condition and the lack of employment opportunities.

Mr Howden is one of 16 people who have gained work through the scheme.

He told the Daily Post he had applied for lots of jobs while he was on the dole and was now pleased to find himself working.

"It's depressing when you go for interviews and no one bothers to ring you back ... We used to just get enough money to scrape through with the bills and everything when I was on a benefit. We used to have to tick everything up [put it on hire purchase] if we needed anything. Now we can buy a few extra luxuries we could never afford before," he said.

His crew is clearing away rubbish and debris from 82 empty properties in the town as well as removing burnt out homes and derelict cars abandoned on local sections.

Beautifying the town has given Mr Howden pride in where he lives.

"It makes you proud when you see the difference.

"People are noticing the work being done and are telling us it's awesome.

"It's something positive happening in our community."

Network Murupara general manager Samantha Keefe said the aim of the project was to return Murupara to the thriving hub it was during the 1980s and to provide employment for community members.

From youth development to health care for toddlers and babies, cleaning up graffiti and unofficial dump sites around the town, Murupara people were finding themselves work through the project, Ms Keefe said.

"It's about people helping themselves and economic development for the town. Things are improving for the people here and it's providing job opportunities for them. People are smiling now.

"Many of these people are seen as people without skills and dumb but they aren't and they are doing a fantastic job. They are gaining skills and enhancing their own development."

Work and Income regional director Ski Wisneski said the economy had grown steadily in the past five to seven years, providing plenty of employment chances for people wanting to work.

In 1999, there were 16,000 in the region collecting the dole, that number has now fallen to 1400 - a massive 92 per cent drop.

"The economy has been a major driver and people are taking advantage of opportunities available to them," Mr Wisneski said.

Many of the region's unemployed were also realising the benefits of earning a wage packet.

"People have more money which is an essential of life. They can have more luxuries they couldn't afford on a benefit.

"We have seen a phenomenal amount of people going into work. When people gain work their whole lifestyle improves," he said.

Numbers of unemployed:


ROTORUA:

2002:2723

2005: 1507

2007: 632

KAWERAU:

2002: 735

2005: 471

2007: 245

TAUPO:

2002: 323

2005: 101

2007: 21

TOKOROA:

2002: 836

2005: 414

2007: 197

WHAKATANE:

2002:1423

2005: 725

2007: 329